Spiro Compression Bodyfit Base

Compression wear can be eye-wateringly expensive; RunningMonkey has recently been testing two pairs of compression shorts – one at £99, one at £130 (more on these at a later date.) But whilst we wouldn’t argue that compression for the legs can bring real benefits, not least for recovery, the jury is rather more ‘out’ on compression tops. But if you are interested in giving the upper body that extra squeeze and don’t want to break the bank in the process the Spiro Compression Bodyfit Base is an excellent place to start.

Available online at sub-£15 – that’s about a fifth the price of a Skins A400 – the Spiro Compression Bodyfit stacks up incredibly well. A unisex fit in a range from SX to XXL, it lacks the targeted ‘zone compression’ of the more expensive brands but delivers good squeeze for reduced muscle oscillation (which otherwise can lead to Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS even in the upper body) and is remarkable comfortable next to the skin thanks to the flat-lock seams.

Other niceties include a screen-printed label at the neck – although this good work is slightly undone by a traditional care instruction label at the side – good ventilation from the side mesh panels, and rubberised ‘anti slide’ panel at the elbows which help prevent the sleeves from riding up and lend the top a slight super-hero quality. The base uses COOL-Dry® performance fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin quickly and effectively and the contour panels breath well so that when things start to heat up there’s no regretting putting on a base layer.

Certainly is doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a Skins or a Compressport but even as a basic base layer it performs more than adequately and is an excellent entry-level compression top. The only danger is that before you know it you’ll be shelling out on £130 shorts…

Further details of the Spiro Compression Bodyfit Base at spiroactivewear.com – search online for best prices and retailers.